HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo toured the new Youth Diversion Center on its grand opening on Monday.
The center is said to be unique and will help those between 13 and 17 years old. About $9.3 million was invested in the facility. The county previously received $23 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to support mental health. This act provided resources to businesses and public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The center - which opened and began operations this month - provides a safe and supportive environment for youth who have engaged in low-level offenses and are in need of temporary services related to behavioral or mental health crises related to their surroundings,” Hidalgo’s office said.
Juvenile Probation, Harris County Resources for Children and Adults, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the Kinder Institute supported the center.
The facility was transformed, and five teens are in the program.
“We are here in a place that used to be a jail prison for children, and we have managed to close that down and turn it into a rehabilitation center as part of our efforts to really tackle crime in a smart way. I’m very, very proud of that,” Hidalgo said.
She said the center will be a game changer for 17-year-olds. In Texas, 17-year-olds can be placed into adult jails. This will now be different in Harris County.
Hidalgo said the two most common low-level offenses for teenagers are theft and drug possession.
If children commit the following offenses, they could qualify to receive assistance from the facility. Other cases could also be accepted.
- Unruliness
- Truancy
- Defying authority figures
- Violating curfew
- Underage drinking
Teens who commit offenses with weapons or cause bodily harm will not qualify for services.
The facility will provide mental health treatments, family counseling, crisis intervention, guidance for parents and more.